2018 Integrated Pest Management Achievement Award Winners Announced
916-445-3974 | Charlotte.Fadipe@cdpr.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO – – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will honor two organizations for their achievements in managing pest problems while proactively reducing the risk from pesticide use.
The Integrated Pest Management Achievement Awards will be presented by Jared Blumenfeld, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency on February 12, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the Sierra Hearing Room, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) at 1001 I St. in Sacramento.
“As we move toward less toxic alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides, integrated pest management is fundamental for managing pests thoughtfully and effectively in California,” said DPR Acting Director Teresa Marks. “These organizations are taking the extra step to explore alternatives that make it possible to reduce the amounts of pesticides that are used.”
The IPM Achievement Awards recognize organizations that use integrated pest management (IPM) to address the diverse pest management needs throughout California. IPM is a tool that allows people to manage pests by using natural and preventative strategies, and thus reduces the use of chemical pesticides. This year both awards will be given for the category of IPM leadership.
The 2018 IPM Achievement Award Winners are:
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will receive an award for Leadership in IPM. The district manages more than 63,000 acres of preserves in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties. In 2014, its Board of Directors adopted an IPM program that focuses on managing invasive plants and protecting native biodiversity. The comprehensive program includes best management practices to safeguard workers and visitors from pesticides and to protect ground and surface waters from potential runoff. The district has published a comprehensive IPM Guidance Manual and a public Environmental Impact Report. Media interested in this project may directly contact Leigh Ann Gessner at (650) 691-1200 x 638 and lgessner@openspace.org.
Soil Fumigant Alternatives / BioSolarization Team – This team of scientists researches techniques that can be used in place of agricultural soil fumigants in order to reduce human health and environmental risks. The founding members are from the UC Davis Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and UC Cooperative Extension. The team has generated and disseminated a large body of information on soil pest management practices during the past 14 years. They promote using solar heat to manage soil pests and pathogens and help to improve soil health. Members of the team also collaborate with industry, academic research groups, and public stakeholders. The Soil Fumigant Alternatives / BioSolarization Team will receive an award for Leadership in IPM. Media interested in this project may directly contact James Stapleton at (559) 646-6536 and jjstapleton@ucanr.edu.
More info on the 2018 awardees.
The awards ceremony will be webcast.
For more information, see our IPM Achievement Award web page
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